Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission is an autonomous and

constitutional body A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these princip ...

constituted in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n state of

Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh (; ; "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks ...

for ensuring that elections are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way.

Constitution of India The Constitution of India (IAST: ) is the supreme law of India. The document lays down the framework that demarcates fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental ri ...

with provisions as per Article 243K and 243ZA ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for

Urban Local Bodies Municipal or local governance refers to the third tier of governance in India, at the level of the municipality or urban local body. History Municipal governance in India in its current form has existed since the year 1664. In 1664, Fort Ko ...

and Panchayati Raj Institutions like

Municipalities A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...

, Municipal Corporations,

Panchayat The Panchayat raj is a political system, originating from the Indian subcontinent, found mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It is the oldest system of local government in the Indian subcontinent, and historical ment ...

s. Himachal Pradesh State Election Commissioner is appointed by

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

of Himachal Pradesh.

History and Administration

Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission was constituted on 23 April 1994 for the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions State election commissioner is appointed by Governor. To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Himachal Pradesh state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for

judge A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. A judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the barristers or solicitors of the case, assesses the credibility an ...

of High Court. Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission had introduced Electoral Roll Management System (ERMS).

Powers and Responsibilities

Himachal Pradesh States Election Commissioner is responsible for the following: * Releasing election schedule. * Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for panchayats in State. * Conducting elections for panchayats in State. * Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Conducting elections for panchayats in State. * Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies. * Updating Electoral rolls with new additions. * Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any. * Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal Corporations in State. * Declaration of results of elections held for panchayats in State. * Ordering repoll if needed. * Making arrangements for Statewide polls. * Monitoring poll expenditure for Panchayat polls.

Composition

Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission is headed by State Election Commissioner and as many members as specified in State Act. State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organizations Shri Anil Kumar Khachi IAS (Retd.), is the State Election Commissioner of Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission. His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

Constitutional Requirements

Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration. State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution.

References

External links